Abstract: Pumps and valves with movable parts, such as a plunger, typically have seals around the part. The seals may isolate one chamber from another to prevent leakage across the seals. The pressure in one chamber may be different from the pressure in another adjacent chamber, thereby creating a pressure differential across the seal. When the seal is working properly, the pressures in the adjacent chambers remain constant approximately. However, when a seal leaks, pressure will leak across the seal. As such, the chamber with the lower pressure will show an increase in pressure due to seal leakage. Thus, monitoring pressure changes in the chamber with low pressure, or pressure differentials between chambers, serves as an indicator for leakage across the seal and impending seal failure.

Abstract: Pumps and valves with movable parts, such as a plunger, typically have seals around the part. The seals may isolate one chamber from another to prevent leakage across the seals. The pressure in one chamber may be different from the pressure in another adjacent chamber, thereby creating a pressure differential across the seal. When the seal is working properly, the pressures in the adjacent chambers remain constant approximately. However, when a seal leaks, pressure will leak across the seal. As such, the chamber with the lower pressure will show an increase in pressure due to seal leakage. Thus, monitoring pressure changes in the chamber with low pressure, or pressure differentials between chambers, serves as an indicator for leakage across the seal and impending seal failure.